An anticyclone gradually slips away from the country on Saturday and a northwesterly airflow then moves in. A warm front / cold front combination moves northwards over the South Island on Sunday morning, pushing onto the western North Island from afternoon.

Mainly sunny for the majority on Saturday after a morning frost and perhaps some fog, expect areas of high cloud to increase from afternoon. Western regions Taranaki southwards can expect cloudy areas however (at least at some point during the day), a light shower or two is possible also, mainly for Kapiti and Manawatu although the odd one may crop up elsewhere at times. Overnight rain moves onto the South Island’s West Coast.

Some heavy rain for the West Coast of the South Island on Sunday, easing in the evening. Areas of rain (possibly heavy) start to affect the western North Island from afternoon. There may be a thunderstorm or two about as this rain pushes in. Eastern regions are drier overall however areas of rain or spits will spread from the west as fronts move over. Canterbury may see afternoon high’s in the mid teens as the weather clears for a time.

By Weather Analyst Aaron Wilkinson – WeatherWatch.co.nz